Beacon falls >> A state police trooper was taken to the hospital after an alleged drunken driver struck a police cruiser on Route 8 Sunday evening.

Trooper Kelly Grant said the cruiser was struck during a motor vehicle stop on Route 8 northbound near exit 24 in Beacon Falls at about 6:22 p.m.

The trooper received minor injuries and was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation. The operator of the vehicle that struck the cruiser was not injured and was taken into custody for driving under the influence.

According to state police, Jeffrey Stella, 52, of Southbury, struck the cruiser while the trooper was conducting the motor vehicle stop; Stella was released on a $1,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 2.

Grant said the stopped vehicle and operator were not involved in the crash.

The area was temporarily closed with traffic diverting off exit 23 and was reopened at 7:30 p.m.